Nakhon Pathom Mourns 'Father of Stray Dogs and Cats' Vet
Veterinarian Supamas Suepkeng, widely known as 'Mor Kaek' and the 'Father of Stray Dogs and Cats' in Nakhon Pathom, died of a heart attack on October 28. His funeral on November 3 drew hundreds of colleagues, volunteers, and animal lovers who honored his decades of dedication to livestock health and stray animal welfare, including sterilization and rabies vaccination campaigns. The volunteer network he led pledges to continue his community projects for stray animals.
Nakhon Pathom mourns the passing of 'Mor Kaek,' the legendary 'Father of Stray Dogs and Cats' of Muang Nakhon Pathom, hailed as a dedicated public servant and volunteer for stray and livestock animals. His team grieves but vows to continue his work.
On November 4, media reported that on November 3, at Wat Don Khanak in Muang District, Nakhon Pathom, family and relatives held a funeral for veterinarian Supamas Suepkeng, livestock officer of Ban Phaeo District, Samut Sakhon Province. He died of acute heart failure on October 28.
The religious ceremony was presided over by Phra Khru Palat Sitthiwat (Luang Phi Nam Fon), abbot of Wat Phai Lom Phra Aram Luang, Nakhon Pathom. Pol. Lt. Gen. Yuthsak Phromtha, senior advisor to the Ministry of Defence and advisor to the House Committee on Tourism, chaired the ceremony.
Supervisors, colleagues, subordinates, and animal lovers who knew Mor Kaek attended to pay their final respects and express gratitude. Mor Kaek devoted himself to the mission of maintaining livestock health and disease prevention. He also led teams working with stray dogs and cats, performing sterilizations and rabies vaccinations per Department of Livestock Development policy, a duty he carried out earnestly for decades.
Mor Kaek also headed volunteer groups, mentoring young veterinarians and livestock officers in Muang Nakhon Pathom when he previously worked at the Muang Nakhon Pathom Livestock Office. He collaborated on the Luang Phi Nam Fon Stray Cat Project, which took in stray cats for treatment and rehabilitation before finding them new homes with cat lovers and benefactors. He was involved in many other stray dog and cat welfare activities, always working shoulder-to-shoulder with his team, earning the affectionate title 'Father of Stray Cats and Dogs of Muang Nakhon Pathom' from younger staff and animal lovers.
Supamas Suepkeng, or Mor Kaek, was a native of Nakhon Pathom. He attended Wat Don Khanad School for primary, Phra Pathom Wittayalai School for secondary, and graduated from the Department of Livestock Development's veterinary program, Class 59. He served many years at the Muang Nakhon Pathom Livestock Office before transferring to Ban Phaeo District, Samut Sakhon, recently. Colleagues and locals had been calling for his return to Nakhon Pathom, but he passed away first, closing the chapter of the 'Father of Stray Cats and Dogs of Muang Nakhon Pathom.'
Meanwhile, the volunteer team affirmed they will not stop helping stray animals. They continue to unite new-generation veterinarians and livestock officers to drive various projects forward despite the loss of their key leader.
